Qatar Telecom (Qtel), Qatar’s exclusive telecommunications service provider has signed an agreement with ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and the certification authority of the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) program in the Gulf States, in the capital Doha on Monday (January 29, 2007), to provide the ICDL digital skills program for its 1,900 administrative and operational employees. Through this agreement, Qtel becomes the first telecom company in the region to adopt the ICDL computer competency standard a requirement for all its employees.

The agreement signed between Jassim Al Mansouri, Executive Director of Qtel and Jamil Ezzo, Director General of ICDL GCC Foundation, seals a new cooperation between the two organisations that will see the provision of support by the Foundation with the accreditation of a state-of-the-art in-house training centre to provide training and testing to all employees in accordance with the global standard of the ICDL program.

Jassim Al Mansouri, Executive Director, Qtel said: “We have embarked on extensive transformation programs to make Qtel a leading full service telecommunications provider. Our agreement with ICDL GCC Foundation will enable Qtel employees to gain fundamental computer skills that will lead them to confidently use the latest technology, thus assisting Qtel to achieve world-class operational efficiency and further growth into an advanced telecommunications provider.”

“A high level of IT proficiency among telecom sector employees is essential in today’s world of rapidly evolving communications technologies and services. We are convinced that the ICDL certification will not only improve operational standards and competitiveness at Qtel but also will greatly support the government’s efforts in building a digital society in Qatar,” Al Mansouri added.

Jamil Ezzo, Director General, ICDL GCC Foundation said: “We are glad to partner with Qtel at a time when the e-governance movement is gaining momentum in Qatar. Nowadays, it has become vital for organisations from the public and private sector, to have a competitive edge and IT proficiency of staff is the first step towards achieving this. Information Technology is increasingly penetrating our society and sound IT skills is the key to further the transformation to a knowledge-based society”, concluded Ezzo.

Established with the mandate to operate and manage the ICDL program in the Gulf region, the ICDL GCC Foundation has been striving relentlessly to promote digital skills for all and to bring computer skills levels in the Arab world at par with international levels by working directly with the region’s government organisations and policy makers. The ICDL program course instructs candidates in using a personal computer, teaches most critical computer software applications and the responsible use of computers.